Rotator and method for rotating shipping container

Abstract

A rotator for holding and rotating a steel shipping container includes a n frame and a cradle frame attached to the main frame to allow relative rotation between the main frame and the cradle frame under the power of a hydraulic jack or the like. The container is secured to the cradle frame while the cradle frame is horizontal, and compressed air is supplied to the jack to tilt the cradle frame and the container for refurbishing. Pins are provided to hold the cradle frame in both the horizontal position and the tilted position.

We claim: 
     
       1. A rotator for holding and rotating a container from a first position to a plurality of different locked positions for servicing, the rotator comprising: a main frame;   a cradle frame attached to the main frame to allow relative rotation between the cradle frame and the main frame;   container securing means attached to the cradle frame for removably securing the container to the cradle frame;   rotating means connected to the main frame and the cradle frame for causing the relative rotation between the main frame and the cradle frame from a first position where the cradle frame and the main frame are substantially parallel to a plurality of different positions, the rotating means supplying a motive power sufficient to cause the relative rotation when the container is secured to the cradle frame; and   locking means connected to the main frame and the cradle frame for holding the cradle frame and the container at a selected one of the different positions with respect to the main frame, wherein the locking means comprises a first plate attached to the main frame, with the first plate having at least one first hole formed therein, a second plate attached to the cradle frame, with the second plate having a plurality of holes formed therein, and a pin for insertion into the at least one first hole of the first plate and a selected one of the plurality of holes of the second plate for locking the cradle frame at a selected position.   
     
     
       2. A rotator for holding and rotating a container from a first position to a plurality of different positions for servicing, the rotator comprising: a main frame;   a cradle frame attached to the main frame to allow relative rotation between the main frame and the cradle frame;   container securing means attached to the cradle frame for removably securing the container to the cradle frame;   rotating means connected to the main frame and the cradle frame for causing the relative rotation between the main frame and the cradle frame from a first relative position where the cradle frame and the main frame are substantially parallel to a plurality of different positions where the cradle frame is positioned at an angle with respect to the main frame, the rotating means supplying a motive power sufficient to cause the relative rotation when the container is secured to the cradle frame; and   a first locking means connected to the main frame and the cradle frame for holding the cradle frame and the container at a selected one of the different positions with respect to the main frame.   
     
     
       3. A rotator as in claim 2, wherein the container securing means comprises a plurality of castings on the cradle frame for being locked to the container. 
     
     
       4. A rotator as in claim 2, wherein the rotating means comprises a jack attached to the main frame and the cradle frame such that actuation of the jack causes the relative rotation. 
     
     
       5. A rotator as in claim 4, wherein the jack is a hydraulic jack. 
     
     
       6. A rotator as in claim 5, wherein the jack is actuated by compressed air. 
     
     
       7. A rotator as in claim 4, wherein the first locking means comprises: a first plate attached to the main frame, the first plate having at least one first hole formed therein;   a second plate attached to the cradle frame, the second plate having a plurality of holes formed therein; and   a pin for insertion in to the at least one first hole of the first plate and a selected one of the plurality of holes of the second plate for locking the cradle frame at a selected position relative to the main frame.   
     
     
       8. A rotator as in claim 2, wherein the first locking means comprises: a first plate attached to the main frame, the first plate having at least one first hole formed therein;   a second plate attached to the cradle frame, the second plate having a plurality of holes formed therein; and   a pin for insertion into the at least one first hole of the first plate and a selected one of the plurality of holes of the second plate for locking the cradle frame at a selected position relative to the main frame.   
     
     
       9. A rotator as in claim 8, wherein the plurality of holes in the second plate are arranged in an arcuate pattern. 
     
     
       10. A rotator as in claim 8, further comprising a second locking means connected to the main frame and the cradle for locking the cradle frame and the container in the first relative position where the cradle frame and the main frame are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
       11. A rotator as in claim 2, further comprising wheel means attached to the main frame for supporting the rotator on a surface, as to allow the rotator to be moved over the surface. 
     
     
       12. A rotator as in claim 2, further comprising coupling means for detachably coupling the rotator to a second rotator. 
     
     
       13. A method of refurbishing a container, the method comprising: (a) providing a rotator which comprises a main frame, a cradle frame attached to the main frame to allow relative rotation between the main frame and the cradle frame, container securing means for removably securing the container to the cradle frame, rotating means for causing the relative rotation between the main frame and the cradle frame between a first relative position and a plurality of different relative positions, the rotating means supplying a motive power sufficient to cause the relative rotation when the container is secured to the cradle frame, and locking means connected to the main frame and the cradle frame for locking the cradle frame and the container in-place at a selected relative position;   (b) securing the container to the cradle frame with the container securing means when the main frame and the cradle frame are in the first relative position with the main frame and the cradle frame disposed substantially parallel to each other;   (c) causing the rotation of the cradle frame and the container relative to the main frame from the first relative position to one of a plurality of different relative positions;   (d) locking the cradle frame and the container at the selected relative position;   (e) performing a refurbishing operation on the container while the main frame and the cradle frame are locked at the selected relative position;   (f) unlocking the cradle frame and the container upon completion of the refurbishing operation; and   (g) causing the relative rotation of the cradle frame and container from the selected relative position to the first relative position.   
     
     
       14. A method as in claim 13, further comprising, after steps (a)-(g): (h) moving the rotator with the container secured to the cradle frame to a location different from the location in which step (e) was performed;   (i) causing the relative rotation to cause the main frame and the cradle frame to rotate from the first relative position to a selected relative position;   (j) locking the cradle frame and the container at the selected position; and   (k) performing a further refurbishing operation on the container while cradle frame and the container are in the selected relative position.